Lollapalooza 2014: Just Kidding's guide to taking the kids

E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune

E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune

Heather Schröering

Going to #Lollapalooza2014 with the kids? Here's how to prep for the ultimate rock 'n' roll family weekend.

The 300,000 people annually drawn to Lollapalooza over a three-day weekend might seem like an un-family-friendly environment, but you definitely don't have the leave the kids at home—unless of course you want them to miss out on The Q Brothers, Portugal. The Man and other big kindie acts performing at the Kidzapalooza Stage this Friday through Saturday.

There's plenty of fun for the young ones, as Kidza pros Liz and Paul Hletko and Monica Kuzma can attest. The Hletkos first attended the fest when their kids were 1, 2 and 4. Now 8, 9 and 11, the family has been a half-dozen times, and they've even invited their children's friends along. Kuzma attends the festival each year, bringing her 13-, 11- and 8-year-olds for one day. We consulted these veterans for tips about how to prep for the ultimate rock 'n' roll family weekend.

We'll start with a checklist of what to bring:

-A blanket to lay on the ground, to give the kids an area of their own. -Hand sanitizer-Small umbrella for rain or shade-Sunscreen-Plastic water bottles (Lolla offers refilling stations)-Coloring books and small toys to keep the kids entertained

What about earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones? You probably don't need to pack those. Lots of parents bring the large over-ear headphones to help with the volume," Paul notes. "But really, the kids area is very volume controlled. Unless you are directly in front of the speakers, I'd expect most kids to be okay with volume levels."

Millennials weren't the only ones who enjoyed Lollapalooza. Check out the families and youngsters rockin' at Kidzapalooza, the kid-friendly stage and activities area inside Grant Park. (For more Kidza fun, check out photos of the Kidzapalooza Very Important Rocker concert at the James Chicago hotel.)

Concerned about the large crowds? Rest assured: The Kidza stage area is a "safe haven" with a smaller audience and—bonus!—lots of shade, Kuzma says. Make kid-spotting fun by having them wear funny hats or headbands, Liz suggests. Take advantage of Kidza's Tag-A-Kid bracelets: wrist or ankle bands with kid's emergency contact info written on them. Also bring a Sharpie to write your number on your child's arm, because "those bracelets aren't helpful when the kids' zone closes," Liz says. Cell-phone service is spotty, Kuzma warns, so hold your child's hand in big crowds and keep them on a blanket at main stages.

Regarding potty breaks, keep in mind: Bathroom lines can get lengthy. "Give yourself a margin of error," Paul says. "Don't wait for the last minute!" Liz also suggests bringing your own roll of toilet paper, just in case, because "kids don't get the ‘out of TP' thing."

The Kidza fun is over at 5 p.m., but that doesn't mean the family fun ends there. Some other areas have picnic tables, ice cream and other benefits. Kids can try out new electronics in the Toyota- and Samsung-sponsored tents, which always give out lots of free stuff.

Getting to the front of a bigger stage with the kids might not be the best idea, so if there's a band you must see, tag-team with your partner or friend: One of you can stay further back with the kids while the other forges closer. Not every stage is the most kid-friendly, however. Our Kidza experts all warned of the Perry's stage: "It can get hot...and sometimes the fans are little messed up in there," Kuzma says.

Throughout the fest, the kids might be exposed to sights they've never seen before. Be prepared to talk about them. "Last year we were at Perry's [stage] for a while," Liz says. "The kids loved the music, the dancing and the colors, but it was definitely a less child-friendly crowd, and there were some crazy things being passed around that my oldest daughter asked me about. I had to explain some references to sex and drugs that didn't thrill my 10-year-old daughter."

Remember, if you relax and have fun, the kids will too—and you'll all end up with cool stories to tell. Liz recalls several: "The year Perry [Farrell] himself told my daughter her hair was 'really cool'; the many recordings with The Q Brothers; my youngest daughter crying to see Andrew Bird, and the strangers who lifted her up. I love the nights we stayed until the end, watching the kids' eyes as we walked by the fountain. I know they have great memories too."